Newport News mother-daughter duo encourage breast cancer screenings

NEWPORT NEWS, Va. (WAVY) — Jasmine Jordan became a nurse practitioner at Sentara Family Medicine Physicians in Newport News because her mom Josephine Jordan inspired her to give back and help others. Doctors diagnosed Josephine with stage two breast cancer 13 years ago.

“When I first walked in on my first day and I saw the breast center, I got a little emotional because I just remember walking in here as a kid as a 12-year-old thinking my mom was going to die,” said Jasmine.

Josephine knew she was in the fight for her life. “I asked God for one thing, to see her graduate, and I saw her graduate from high school and saw her graduate from college”.

Jasmine helped take care of her mother in any way she could. That experience led her to a career in health care.

“As a 12-year-old, I kind of learned this is what I like to do. I think I want to be a nurse when I get older, because I like taking care of people and making people feel better.”

At work, Jasmine encourages her patients to get screened for breast cancer. “I have two exam rooms here and I actually have a photo of my mom and I point on the bulletin board, and I always point to the photo and I say ‘do you see this woman?’ They’re like ‘oh yeah she’s really pretty.’ I’m like ‘that’s my mom, she would not be in that photo if she did not get her mammogram’ and sometimes my patients are like *gasp* and it gives them that full circle.”

Josephine said, “When it comes on and it’s something big and bad then everybody wants to say help me help me help me heal me fix it but early detection is key. Just get your mammogram. I’m living proof.”

For the past 11 years, Josephine and Jordan organized a benefit concert which raises money for a local chapter of Sister’s Network.

The organization helps patients with breast cancer in the African American community. Sister’s Network helps cover patients’ co-pays, getting medications, and arranging transportation to and from doctor’s offices.

To learn how to get an early detection screening near you, use this link.

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